Astros vs. Nationals, World Series Game 3

Astros in Must Win Situation on the Road

The Washington Nationals are two wins away from one of the biggest World Series upsets of all-time against the Houston Astros. After taking the first two games on the road, the Nationals return to DC tonight to host the Houston Astros for Game 3. There should be another good pitching matchup on tap.

The Nationals started this best-of-seven series as +175 underdogs. That didn’t last long as they quickly turned into –120 favorites. This transpired after beating Houston (–194 at home) 5-4 in Tuesday’s opener. Then they turned up the heat Wednesday night. They took the second game 12-3 as +158 road dogs to put the Astros’ title hopes in jeopardy. Now they’re on the verge of winning their first World Series in franchise history. It would be the first in Washington since the Senators (now the Minnesota Twins) back in 1924.

Sanchez has done his job thus far in the postseason. He’s pitched very well by allowing a single earned run over 12.2 innings. Unfortunately, Washington’s beleaguered bullpen could only close one of his two starts. Washington sets its sights on Houston right-hander Zack Greinke after it defeated Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander. One of those two will win the AL Cy Young Award coming up. Sanchez takes the ball for his first appearance since Oct. 11, when he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning against St. Louis in the NL Championship Series.

That’s still better than Greinke’s postseason. He has a team record of 1-2 with just one quality start in three attempts. The Astros also face a lineup decision since there will not be a designated hitter in the National League park. American League Rookie of the Year Yordan Alvarez could replace Josh Reddick. Alvarez has a .213 batting average in the postseason, but 3-for-6 in the World Series. Reddick is hitting a dismal .111, playoffs.

This, That, and a Dart Throw

Greinke makes his first World Series start for the Astros. He allowed one run, three hits, four walks and had five strikeouts over 4-1/3 innings of Houston’s 8-3 victory over New York in Game 4 of the ALCS on Oct. 17th. He went 8-1 with a 3.02 ERA in 10 regular-season starts with the Astros after being acquired from Arizona. He lost his first two postseason outings at Tampa Bay in the ALDS and against the Yankees in Game 1 of the ALCS. Greinke could also be a factor at the plate. He is a .225 career batter has hit .227 in 22 career postseason at-bats and led pitchers with three home runs and eight extra-base hits this season.

Sanchez was four outs away from a no-hitter when Jose Martinez singled to break it up. Washington prevailed 2-0 in Game 1 of the NLCS. The 35-year-old Venezuelan boasts a 2.57 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 56 postseason innings with 60 strikeouts in his career. Sanchez makes his second World Series appearance after losing to San Francisco in 2012. He allowed two runs with eight strikeouts over seven innings of a 2-0 loss. LF Juan Soto, 20, is 4-for-7 with a home run, three RBI’s, two doubles and three runs scored in the World Series.